Individuals age 60 years and older represent the fastest growing segment of San Diego County’s population, with the number of residents expected to more than double by 2030. The lack of easy, accessible, and affordable transportation available to older adults is a problem recognized at the national, state, and local levels. In a 2003 San Diego County survey, close to 30% of older adults age 85 and older said that transportation was a problem for them.

“Compared with those who still drive, older non-drivers make 15% fewer trips to the doctor, 59% fewer shopping trips and visits to restaurants, and 65% fewer trips for social, family, and religious activities.”
-American Public Transportation Association

A program of the Jewish Senior Services Council delivered by Jewish Family Service, On the Go is more than a ride—it’s independence, community connection, mobility, and dignity.

Reserve Your Ride Today
1-877-63-GO-JFS
1-877-634-6537

For local calls: 1-619-220-0268

On the Go consists of four components offering both group and individual transportation. Through the Rides & Smiles® program, volunteer drivers provide individual transportation for older adults to medical and personal appointments, synagogues, and the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center. On the Go Taxi Scrip program is for requests that cannot be provided with at least a 7 day notice. On the Go Shuttles provide group transportation to Jewish Family Service's Older Adult Centers, religious events, shopping centers, lunch destinations and other cultural outings and events. On the Go also offers exciting organized excursions to locations throughout San Diego County and surrounding areas.

Learn More About…
Service Areas & Eligibility
Older Adult Center Shuttle
Shopping & "Let's Go to Lunch" Shuttle
High Holy Day Shuttle
Rides & Smiles®
On the Go Excursions
Driver Safety Awareness
Volunteering for On the Go
Turn Your Car Into Rides Car Donation Program
About The Jewish Senior Services Council (JSSC)

Service Areas & Eligibility

On the Go transportation services are available to older adults age 60 and over who reside in the North County Inland area, College Area/Del Cerro/San Carlos/Allied Gardens/Grantville/La Mesa, and La Jolla/University City/Clairemont/Linda Vista. Existing transportation must be inadequate or unavailable. Zip codes within the service areas include: 91941, 91942, 92037, 92064, 92111, 92115, 92117, 92119, 92120, 92121, 92122, 92126, 92127, 92128, 92129, 92131.

All riders must be mentally alert. Many On the Go services are wheelchair accessible call for details.

There is a $20 enrollment fee to utilize On the Go services. Members of participating organizations are exempt from this fee. Participating organizations include:

• JFS North County Inland Older Adult Center
• JFS University City Older Adult Center
• JFS CO-OP Town Park Villas
• JFS College Avenue Older Adult Center
• Rides & Smiles®
• Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center
• New Life Club
• Seacrest Village Rancho Bernardo
• Participating Synagogues: Temple Adat Shalom, Chabad of College Area, Chabad of La Jolla Shores, Chabad of Poway, Chabad of Scripps Ranch, Chabad of University City, Congregation Beth El, Congregation Beth Israel, Congregation Dor Hadash, Ner Tamid Synagogue, Temple Emanu-El, Tifereth Israel Synagogue, Temple Solel, Congregation Beth Am, Ohr Shalom Synagogue

To enroll in On the Go, please either call the office for the enrollment form and waiver or click here and print. Send completed forms to the On the Go office at 2525 Camino Del Rio South, Suite 265, San Diego, CA 92108.

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Older Adult Center Shuttle

Transportation to JFS Older Adult Centers is provided to individuals residing in service areas. Door-to-door shuttles are $3.00 each way. Please reserve your seat on a Shuttle a minimum of three (3) business days in advance. For a list of days, hours, and activities, click on the links below.

North County Inland Older Adult Center
University City Older Adult Center
College Avenue Older Adult Center

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Group Shuttles
Door-to-door shuttles are $3.00 each way. Please reserve your seat on a Shuttle a minimum of three (3) business days in advance.

Poway, Rancho Bernardo, and Rancho Penasquitos: Click here for schedule

University City, La Jolla, Clairemont, Linda Vista: Click here for schedule

College Area, Del Cerro, San Carlos, Allied Gardens, Grantville, La Mesa: Click here for schedule

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This service is a door-to-door shuttle—from the rider’s home to a synagogue.
High Holy Days Service Areas
(3-Day Advance Reservation Required)
NCI Area: 92064, 92126, 92127, 92128, 92129, and 92131
UC Area: 92037, 92111, 92117, 92121, and 92122
College Area: 92115, 92119, 92120, 91941, and 91942 (west of 125)

Expanded Service Areas for High Holy Days Only
(7-Day Advance Reservation Required)
North County Coastal: 92024, 92007, 92075, 92067, 92014, and 92130
Tierrasanta: 92124
Hillcrest: 92103
Pacific Beach, Fashion Valley, Serra Mesa, and Mission Valley: 92109, 92110, 92123, and 92108

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Rides & Smiles®

Since March of 2004, the award-winning Rides & Smiles® program has provided transportation for older adults to medical appointments, personal appointments, pharmacies, banks, and other life necessities in the North County Inland area. With the launch of On the Go, Rides & Smiles® expanded to also serve University City, La Jolla, Linda Vista, Clairemont, College Area, Del Cerro, San Carlos, La Mesa, Allied Gardens, and Grantville.

"My car is sitting idle in the garage. It has 54,000 miles on it but when my license expired, the doctor would not sign the release to renew it. I can't drive it and with my daughter moving to Seattle I didn't know what to do. Luckily she found this program and I can't believe people are willing to take time out of their day to help me..."

Rides are provided by caring volunteers who donate their time to provide this valuable service and allow older adults to maintain their independence. It is the largest volunteer-based transportation service in San Diego County—providing more than 1,300 rides by more than 250 volunteer drivers each month.

Volunteer drivers provide door-thru-door service to:

• Non-emergency medical appointments
• Banks
• Pharmacies
• Hair Salons
• Visiting friends and loved ones in hospitals
• Volunteer opportunities
• Social activities
  And much more…

Rides are provided for a suggested donation ranging from $5.00 - $25.00 depending on the distance of the ride. Rides must be reserved at least one week in advance. Requests made sufficiently in advance are more likely to be matched with a volunteer driver. Rides can be requested up to the end of the next calendar month.

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On the Go Excursions

On the Go offers group transportation to diverse activities from enjoying an evening at the theater to cheering on the Padres. Have an idea for a trip? Contact us—we’d love to hear from you! Fees range from $6.00 and up, depending on the destination and admittance fees. Favorite trips include:

• Balboa Park in San Diego
• Back Country Winery Tours
• Jewish Film Festival, Music Festival & Book Fair
• Museums & Historic Sites
• Health & Community Fairs
• Theaters & Concerts
• Casinos
  And much more…

Schedule of Excursions

• College Area/Del Cerro/La Mesa/San Carlos/Allied Gardens/Grantville
• North County Inland Area
• University City/La Jolla/Linda Vista/Clairemont

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Older Driver Safety Awareness
Older adults are the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population. There were 18.9 million older licensed drivers in 2000—a 36% increase from a decade earlier. As the Baby Boomer generation ages, it's estimated that by 2020 more than 40 million older Americans will be licensed drivers. Baby boomers rely heavily on automobiles for transportation and tend to drive more miles and at older ages than previous generations. It is important to remain safe drivers and/or find alternatives to driving when needed.

Are you concerned about a loved one's ability to drive? Take a ride with them. Look for the following warning signs in his or her driving:

• Forgets to buckle up
• Does not obey stop signs or traffic lights
• Fails to yield the right of way
• Drives too slowly or too quickly
• Often gets lost, even on familiar routes
• Stops at a green light or at the wrong time
• Doesn’t seem to notice other cars, pedestrians, or bike riders on the road
• Doesn’t stay in his or her lane
• Is honked at or passed often
• Reacts slowly to driving situations
• Makes poor driving decisions

It is important to remember that On the Go is dedicated to providing independence, community connection, mobility, and dignity for all older adults. A loss of the ability to drive does not have to mean a loss of independence. For more information and support on how to talk to a loved one about driving, visit the AARP website by clicking here.

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Volunteers Needed Now!

“I am just getting so much enjoyment out of doing Rides & Smiles®. Out of all the volunteering I have done over years this is by far one of the most rewarding. And I want to grow up just like all the ladies I have met. It has been a pleasure.” -Volunteer

On the Go needs you! Help open the car door for an older adult in need.

Rides & Smiles® Volunteer Driver
Volunteering is easy. You choose who, when and where you drive. You set your own schedule—there’s no minimum number of rides required!

JFS provides:

• Mileage Reimbursement
• Secondary Auto Insurance
• Convenient Web-Based Scheduling System

On the Go Shuttle Escort
Ride-a-long with On the Go Shuttles to assist passengers while getting on and off the bus, shopping, reading labels, and providing friendly conversation.

On the Go Excursion Chaperone
Chaperone one of the many enjoyable excursions.

For more information about volunteering or to find an upcoming volunteer training, contact (858) 637-3050 or email. More information about volunteering for Jewish Family Service, including an online volunteer application, can be found on the Volunteer Services page.

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Turn Your Car Into Rides
Donate your car to On the Go and receive credit for future individual rides through On the Go Shuttles and individual rides through Rides & Smiles®. Jewish Family Service will pick up your vehicle, running or not, and auction it through our CARS program. The money received, after the cost of the transaction (towing, auction house fees, processing fees), will be put in a special fund for you. For more information about the CARS program, click here. To participate in the special program and for complete details, contact the On the Go office.

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About The Jewish Senior Services Council (JSSC)
The JSSC’s mission is to enhance the quality of life for Jewish and all older adults throughout San Diego County through community collaboration, advocacy and the delivery of coordinated services. The JSSC is comprised of four representatives from each member organization: Jewish Family Service, Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, Seacrest Village Retirement Homes, Jewish Community Foundation and United Jewish Federation of San Diego County. The JSSC will contract with Jewish Family Service to provide specific services and oversight of On the Go.

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